Powerline Technologies Ltd (part of the Fundamentals Group) has been selected as the winner of the Power Networks Demonstration Centre’s SME Competition by the PNDC Executive Board. The Board, consisting of senior representatives from network operators UK Power Networks, SSEN, Scottish Power Energy Networks and industrial members Vodafone and CISCO, made the decision following pitches from three shortlisted entries in the competition.

Powerline Technologies was chosen for their pioneering VoltNetTM solution which provides smart maintenance and accurate detection, classification and location of faults including early transient faults, and power quality events on LV and MV underground distribution networks. VoltNetTM will help DNOs to reduce maintenance costs, customer minutes lost and increase network operational efficiency.

The prize gives Powerline one year of Associate Membership of the PNDC which will see them participate in the PNDC’s active R&D Program, and an opportunity to demonstrate their VoltNetTM solution on the PNDC’s ‘real life’ distribution network. The aim of which, is to help accelerate commercialisation by giving network operators the confidence to go on to deploy at scale on customer networks.

“We are pleased and excited to be chosen by the PNDC Executive Board as winners of the SME competition,” said Brian Lasslett, CEO of Powerline Technologies. “We look forward to working with the PNDC and we view the PNDC testing facilities as a vital part of the commercialisation process which will allow VoltNetTM to be verified and validated in a real network environment.”

The PNDC, a world-class smart grid accelerator based on the outskirts of Glasgow and part of the University of Strathclyde, brings together academics, engineers and technologists to define and execute research, development, and demonstration projects that will help shape the electricity industry of the future. The facility is underpinned by testing facilities comprising a real high-voltage 11kV and LV distribution network and laboratories. This realistic environment is an ideal setting for testing and developing future smart grid communications in a no risk environment.

“We are delighted to have Powerline Technologies join the PNDC and look forward to working with them in accelerating their innovative VoltNetTM solution to market,” added David Rutherford, PNDC’s CEO. “The PNDC Executive Board voted for this solution so we know that it can provide significant value to network operators. We are excited to work with SMEs to help facilitate new solutions to market.”